Fans flock to meet former USC, Byrnes RB Lattimore

Kayley Hall, 9 months old, of Duncan takes a picture with former USC and Byrnes running back Marcus
Lattimore. Lattimore visited with fans and signed autographs at Greer's Bradshaw auto dealership on Saturday.

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The former Byrnes and South Carolina star running back signed autographs at Greer's Bradshaw auto dealership in conjunction with him becoming a spokesperson for the company including appearing in an upcoming commercial campaign.

A crowd estimated as large as 1,500 snaked in and around the large showroom and parking lot and featured more “21” sightings than at a Vegas blackjack table. Lattimore initially greeted the crowd by leading a chant of “Gamecocks” before settling in to sign designated photos and take photos with the anxious throng.

The 21-year-old's agent made him unavailable to make even a brief statement to the media before or after the event. His stepfather, Vernon Smith, did however speak.

“All this support kind of eases the whole family's mind knowing a lot of people are praying for him and rooting for him to come back and be what he was,” Smith said. “It also encourages him to keep on going and do what he's doing when he sees so much love. It really is amazing.

“He enjoys these things because he really appreciates everything so much. I know he's been saying when he kind of gets settled in with a team he wants to start a foundation to do some things around the community.”

Lattimore's outstanding collegiate career came to a premature end Oct. 27 against Tennessee when he suffered his second serious knee injury in as many years. He declared for the NFL draft in mid-December and now waits to hear his professional fate in less than three weeks.

He received an ovation from onlookers including NFL personnel just for going through some basic drills at last month's USC Pro Day where his mother, Yolanda Smith, warned attendees not to wait on her son.

“My wife was there telling all the scouts they'd better not miss out because he's going to be gone after that first round so don't miss your chance,” Vernon Smith said. “We are all praying and hoping for first round because you've got to shoot for something.”

The majority of prognosticators have Lattimore likely going no earlier than the third round and his stepfather said the family hasn't made any special plans to closely monitor the picks and isn't stressing over where he's selected.

“We talked about that a couple weeks ago as a family and we really have no worries for it,” Vernon Smith said. “Watching him coming up through high school and college and now he's to the point where he's actually going to realize his dream. It's truly amazing to see how far he's come and you don't really expect all this.

“I think during the draft we're just going to be in that mode of just kind of waiting for the phone call and keeping it as normal as possible. We haven't made any special plans because he doesn't want to only keep his mind on just waiting for the phone to ring or whatnot.”

Smith said there was nothing new to report from Lattimore's most recent health checkup in Indianapolis and that things went well. He added that his stepson has visited with the Eagles and Patriots and has upcoming scheduled trips to the 49ers and Rams.

Saturday's autograph session was reminiscent of what one might see in the crazy sea of fans on a Saturday fall evening at Williams-Brice Stadium. Supporters were decked out in all manner of Gamecock gear from little kids to much more elderly folks. Some went to the extreme such as the boy sporting a Mohawk along with one cheek pained garnet and the other black with both adorned with No. 21.

Elaine Freeman had no hint of either color as she waited patiently at the front of the line reading a book while seated in a beach chair. She made sure to get there nearly three hours in advance to procure a pair of autographs for two cousins (a brother and sister) recently diagnosed with cancer within two weeks of one another.

“I'm a big Clemson fan and I'm so orange that my orange car is out in the parking lot,” Freeman admitted before tearing up. “But my two cousins are big Gamecock fans and that's why I've been hanging out here to get them Marcus Lattimore's autograph. I was sitting there thinking I really wanted six, but I came here to get those two specifically.”

Scott and Adrienne Wakefield brought their nearly two-year-old daughter — the aptly named Carolina — who had her picture taken with the tailback and also received her first USC autograph.

Scott Wakefield likely summed up the majority feelings of those waiting in the long line just to share a moment with Lattimore in surmising the power of his persona.

“I expected a big turnout like this for a hometown guy, a good guy, and I think it's been said he gave both his legs for USC and gave everything he could so it's nothing for people to show up out here to see him.

“He's got good Christian faith and I'm a Christian myself so that means something to me. You don't have too many athletes who are true role models these days so when you have a true role model like Marcus I wanted my daughter to be able to come out and meet him.

“His attitude is unmatched and he'll succeed because of his attitude more than anything in my opinion.”

<p>GREER — The affection for Marcus Lattimore runs the whole gamut no matter age, race or even school and team allegiance and his local community turned out in droves Saturday to greet him.</p><p>The former Byrnes and South Carolina star running back signed autographs at Greer's Bradshaw auto dealership in conjunction with him becoming a spokesperson for the company including appearing in an upcoming commercial campaign.</p><p>A crowd estimated as large as 1,500 snaked in and around the large showroom and parking lot and featured more “21” sightings than at a Vegas blackjack table. Lattimore initially greeted the crowd by leading a chant of “Gamecocks” before settling in to sign designated photos and take photos with the anxious throng.</p><p>The 21-year-old's agent made him unavailable to make even a brief statement to the media before or after the event. His stepfather, Vernon Smith, did however speak.</p><p>“All this support kind of eases the whole family's mind knowing a lot of people are praying for him and rooting for him to come back and be what he was,” Smith said. “It also encourages him to keep on going and do what he's doing when he sees so much love. It really is amazing.</p><p>“He enjoys these things because he really appreciates everything so much. I know he's been saying when he kind of gets settled in with a team he wants to start a foundation to do some things around the community.”</p><p>Lattimore's outstanding collegiate career came to a premature end Oct. 27 against Tennessee when he suffered his second serious knee injury in as many years. He declared for the NFL draft in mid-December and now waits to hear his professional fate in less than three weeks.</p><p>He received an ovation from onlookers including NFL personnel just for going through some basic drills at last month's USC Pro Day where his mother, Yolanda Smith, warned attendees not to wait on her son.</p><p>“My wife was there telling all the scouts they'd better not miss out because he's going to be gone after that first round so don't miss your chance,” Vernon Smith said. “We are all praying and hoping for first round because you've got to shoot for something.”</p><p>The majority of prognosticators have Lattimore likely going no earlier than the third round and his stepfather said the family hasn't made any special plans to closely monitor the picks and isn't stressing over where he's selected.</p><p>“We talked about that a couple weeks ago as a family and we really have no worries for it,” Vernon Smith said. “Watching him coming up through high school and college and now he's to the point where he's actually going to realize his dream. It's truly amazing to see how far he's come and you don't really expect all this.</p><p>“I think during the draft we're just going to be in that mode of just kind of waiting for the phone call and keeping it as normal as possible. We haven't made any special plans because he doesn't want to only keep his mind on just waiting for the phone to ring or whatnot.”</p><p>Smith said there was nothing new to report from Lattimore's most recent health checkup in Indianapolis and that things went well. He added that his stepson has visited with the Eagles and Patriots and has upcoming scheduled trips to the 49ers and Rams.</p><p>Saturday's autograph session was reminiscent of what one might see in the crazy sea of fans on a Saturday fall evening at Williams-Brice Stadium. Supporters were decked out in all manner of Gamecock gear from little kids to much more elderly folks. Some went to the extreme such as the boy sporting a Mohawk along with one cheek pained garnet and the other black with both adorned with No. 21.</p><p>Elaine Freeman had no hint of either color as she waited patiently at the front of the line reading a book while seated in a beach chair. She made sure to get there nearly three hours in advance to procure a pair of autographs for two cousins (a brother and sister) recently diagnosed with cancer within two weeks of one another.</p><p>“I'm a big Clemson fan and I'm so orange that my orange car is out in the parking lot,” Freeman admitted before tearing up. “But my two cousins are big Gamecock fans and that's why I've been hanging out here to get them Marcus Lattimore's autograph. I was sitting there thinking I really wanted six, but I came here to get those two specifically.”</p><p>Scott and Adrienne Wakefield brought their nearly two-year-old daughter — the aptly named Carolina — who had her picture taken with the tailback and also received her first USC autograph.</p><p>Scott Wakefield likely summed up the majority feelings of those waiting in the long line just to share a moment with Lattimore in surmising the power of his persona.</p><p>“I expected a big turnout like this for a hometown guy, a good guy, and I think it's been said he gave both his legs for USC and gave everything he could so it's nothing for people to show up out here to see him.</p><p>“He's got good Christian faith and I'm a Christian myself so that means something to me. You don't have too many athletes who are true role models these days so when you have a true role model like Marcus I wanted my daughter to be able to come out and meet him.</p><p>“His attitude is unmatched and he'll succeed because of his attitude more than anything in my opinion.”</p>